1 dead, 6 shot: RMG workers, law enforcers clash in Ashulia

One RMG worker died during a clash between workers and law enforcers in Ashulia today (30 September), while six others were brought to nearby hospitals.

"Three people with gunshot wounds were brought to our hospital around 1pm, one of whom was already dead," Yusuf Ali, duty manager at Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, told The Business Standard.

More two were brought later on, both workers were part of Natural Indigo factory.  

"The deceased has been identified as Kawsar Hossain Khan, 27. He was dead on arrival. We have been informed that he worked at Mango Tex in Ashulia. 

"The other two individuals are currently receiving treatment at the hospital," he added.

He said Kawsar had been shot in the stomach, while the other two -- Noyon and Russel -- were shot in the chest. 

He estimated the ages of the victims to be around 26. 

"The condition of the other two is critical," he said. 

Earlier, two workers were brought to PMK Hospital in Ashulia with bullet wounds.

The victims are Habib, a worker of Natural Denims and Nazmul Hasan, a worker of Natural Indigo Factory.

PMK Hospital Manager (Administration) Md Nazim Uddin told The Business Standard, "We have four workers brought here with injuries. Two of them have been brought with bullet wounds. They have been shot in the leg."

He, however, could not say what kind of bullets had been used. 

Eyewitnesses and locals said after 12pm workers of some garment factories blocked a road in the Jirabo area of ​​the industrial area.

At one point, when the members of the law and order forces tried to disperse the workers by chasing them, a clash broke out. 

Meanwhile, law enforcement personnel fired tear shells to control the situation.

At least 30 workers were injured in the clash, the workers claimed.

Workers have been protesting for weeks with demands to increase minimum wage, among others. 

A number of factories in Ashulia area have bene facing closures daily due to unrest.